CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs Executive Officer Stanley T. Iakopo on Monday encouraged local military veterans to visit their medical providers to see whether or not they qualify for service dogs.
“Service dogs provide more than just emotional support, especially for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and traumatic brain injury. Service dogs are trained specifically to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities,” he said.
Only dogs are recognized as service animals under Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, Iakopo said.
He added that research from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has concluded that service dogs are a proven therapy for those suffering from PTSD.
“Recent studies show that they can also reduce the amount of medication some veterans require for treatment and alleviate their overall symptoms,” he said, noting that veterans should have a list of options and different types of therapies provided to them.
“We have to get out of the mindset of just providing drugs to vets as if that’s their only option,” Iakopo said.
Last month, President Joseph Biden Jr. signed the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers, or PAWS, Act of 2021.
The law directs the VA to establish a program to provide service dogs and training to veterans dealing with PTSD.
To apply for a service dog, veterans must first be diagnosed with a disability in order to qualify.
Veterans can choose to work with a medical provider through the VA to determine their eligibility for a service dog.
“Veterans need to meet with their healthcare provider to discuss physical or mental limitations to determine if a service dog will be an appropriate treatment approach,” Iakopo said.
According to the Cornell Law School website, service dogs are prescribed for a disabled veteran under Section 38, Subsection 17.148 of the Code of Federal Regulations if clinical requirements are met as determined by the VA clinical team. VA will provide the benefit of a service dog only if these clinical requirements are met:
1. If the veteran is diagnosed as having a psychological, visual, hearing, or substantial mobility impairment.
2. If the VA clinical team determines based upon medical judgment that it is optimal for the veteran to manage the impairment and live independently through the assistance of a trained service dog.
Breeds of service dogs approved by the VA are Labrador/golden retrievers, German shepherds, Bernese mountain dogs, poodles, collies and great Danes.
The VA does not provide service dogs to veterans. Veterans provide and get their own dog or dogs, but have to be eligible medically through a medical healthcare provider, Iakopo said.
Veterans with service dogs are referred to accredited agencies, such as Assistance Dog International or the International Guide Dog Federation, that will raise and train dogs that meet VA standards.
Service dogs approved by the VA are provided veterinary care and equipment through the VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service.
The VA will pay for veterinary care and the equipment, such as a harness or backpack, required for optimal use of the dog.
Veterinary care includes prescribed medications, office visits for medical procedures, and dental procedures where the dog is sedated.
Vaccinations should be current when the dog is provided to the veteran through an accredited agency, and will be covered by the VA.
The VA does not pay for the dog, over the counter medications, boarding, food, grooming, and other routine expenses.
For more information, contact the CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs at 664-2650/51/52.
Stanley T. Iakopo
